Table of Contents
Description
The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) is a comprehensive assessment tool designed to identify individuals at risk of alcohol-related problems. Developed by the World Health Organization, this self-report questionnaire comprises 12 items that evaluate the frequency and quantity of alcohol consumption, the impact of drinking on daily functioning, and the consequences related to alcohol use. The intent behind AUDIT is to facilitate early identification of hazardous and harmful drinking patterns, enabling timely intervention and support. Given the increasing concern around alcohol misuse and its implications for health and well-being, AUDIT serves as an essential screening tool in various health and community settings, providing critical insights into an individual’s drinking behavior and potential risks associated with alcohol consumption.
Authors and Contact Email
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Purpose
The primary purpose of the AUDIT is to screen for hazardous and harmful drinking behaviors, enabling healthcare professionals to identify individuals who may be experiencing alcohol-related problems and to facilitate appropriate interventions.
Test Year
1993
Administration Method and Scoring
AUDIT is administered as a self-report questionnaire in which respondents answer 12 questions related to their alcohol consumption patterns and consequences. Scoring involves summing the scores from the first 10 questions on a scale from 0 to 4, while the last two questions yield scores of 0, 2, or 4. A total score ranges from 0 to 40, with higher scores indicating a greater likelihood of hazardous and harmful drinking.
Reliability and Validity
The AUDIT has demonstrated high reliability and validity across various studies. For instance, a cut-off score of 8 yielded sensitivity levels in the mid-90s for detecting problematic drinking. Further validation has included comparisons with comprehensive interviews and other alcohol assessments, confirming the test’s effectiveness in identifying individuals with alcohol-related issues.
Factors and Subscales
The AUDIT addresses three main factors of problematic alcohol use: hazardous health impacts (questions 1, 2, and 3), dependence symptoms (questions 4, 5, and 6), and behavioral or social problems related to alcohol use (questions 7, 8, 9, and 10). These categories allow for a comprehensive view of an individual’s drinking behavior and related challenges.
Keywords
Alcohol use, screening, AUDIT, self-report questionnaire, hazardous drinking, harmful drinking, alcohol dependence.
Items of ‘Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)’
1. How often do you have a drink containing alcohol?
– Never
– Monthly or less
– 2-4 times a month
– 2-3 times a week
– 4 or more times a week
2. How many drinks containing alcohol do you have on a typical day when you are drinking?
– 0
– 1
– 2
– 3
– 4
– 5 or 6
– 7 to 9
– 10 or more
3. How often do you have six or more drinks on one occasion?
– Never
– Less than monthly
– Monthly
– Weekly
– Daily or almost daily
4. How often during the last year have you found that you were not able to stop drinking once you had started?
– Never
– Less than monthly
– Monthly
– Weekly
– Daily or almost daily
5. How often during the last year have you failed to do what was normally expected of you because of drinking?
– Never
– Less than monthly
– Monthly
– Weekly
– Daily or almost daily
6. How often during the last year have you needed a first drink in the morning to get yourself going after a heavy drinking session?
– Never
– Less than monthly
– Monthly
– Weekly
– Daily or almost daily
7. How often during the last year have you had a feeling of guilt or remorse after drinking?
– Never
– Less than monthly
– Monthly
– Weekly
– Daily or almost daily
8. How often during the last year have you been unable to remember what happened the night before because of your drinking?
– Never
– Less than monthly
– Monthly
– Weekly
– Daily or almost daily
9. Have you or someone else been injured because of your drinking?
– No
– Yes, but not in the last year
– Yes, during the last year
10. Has a relative, friend, doctor, or other health care worker been concerned about your drinking or suggested you cut down?
– No
– Yes, but not in the last year
– Yes, during the last year
References
– https://scales.arabpsychology.com/s/alcohol-use-disorders-identification-test-audit/
– Saunders, J.B., Aasland, O.G., Babor, T.F., de la Fuente, J.R. and Grant, M. Development of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT): WHO collaborative project on early detection of persons with harmful alcohol consumption. II. Addiction, 88, 791-804, 1993.
– Miller, W.R., Zweben, A., DiClemente, C.C. and Rychtarik, R.G. Motivational enhancement therapy manual: A clinical research guide for therapists treating individuals with alcohol abuse and dependence. Project MATCH Monograph Series, Vol. 2. Rockville MD: NIAAA, 1992.
– Bush, K., Kivlahan, D., Mcdonell, M., Pihn, S., Bradley, K., The AUDIT Alcohol Consumption Questions (AUDIT-C): An Effective Brief Screening Test for Problem Drinking, Arch Intern Med, 1998;158(16):1789-1795.
– Hays, R., Merz, J., Response burden, reliability, and validity of the Cage, Short MAST, and AUDIT alcohol screening measures, Behavior Research Methods, Instruments, & Computers, 1995, 27 (2), 277-280.